Retracing the Mormon Trail ‘drew our family closer together’

Midway residents Tom and Linda Whitaker were among the first to jump at the chance to participate in the sesquicentennial re-enactment.

Rick Egan | Tribune File Photo Tom and Linda Whitaker bow their heads in prayer at Winter quarters.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Tom Whitaker, at Utah the State Fair Grounds, Thursday, July 20, 2017.

Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune Tom Whitaker (right) Midway, and his wife Linda (and Aleah (middle) wave to the crowd as the approach the This is the Place monument, at the mouth of Emigration canyon, Tuesday, July 22, 1997.

Rick Egan | Tribune File Photo L-R The Whitaker family, Midway, Left to Right: Brent, 15, Linda (mom) Daniel, 11, Aleah,5, Tom (dad), Ryan, 23, in Florence Nebraska, the day before the Trek to Utah.

Rick Egan | Tribune File Photo L-R The Whitaker family, Midway, Left to Right: Brent, 15, Linda (mom) Daniel, 11, Aleah,5, Tom (dad), Ryan, 23, and Horse Sweetie, in Florence Nebraska, the day before the Trek to Utah.

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They commissioned Amish carpenters to build them a wagon and arranged for others to watch after their Utah farm while they took four of their six children (two were on Mormon missions) on this LDS history adventure.

The kids learned the value of work, the richness of cooperation and how to respond to emergencies.

Sometimes Dad tried to get them to ride in the family wagon but they chose to walk with those without transportation.

The experience "tested our mettle," he says, "but it drew our family closer together."

The Whitakers finally sold their treasured wagon last winter. "I felt it should be used by a young family who wanted to do wagon trains," he says.

Some of his beliefs in Mormonism have changed, he adds, "but our love for pioneers hasn't."